Ms Truss was given a tour of the facilities by the airport’s chief executive Ken O’Toole who spoke to her about Stansted’s £600m, five-year ‘Transformation’ project, which when completed will see a new £130m arrivals terminal built at the Essex airport and the current terminal converted to receive departure passengers only.

Ms Truss said: “The East of England is a thriving region and a vital hub between the UK and the rest of the world. Nowhere signifies that better than Stansted Airport which is why I visited its world class facilities today.

“The Government is hugely committed to ensuring the East of England and its businesses are as competitive and productive as possible in the global marketplace.”

Mr O’Toole added:“International connectivity will be vital as the country prepares to leave the EU and competes in the global marketplace, particularly at a time when runway capacity is in short supply.

“Supported by fully joined up Government transport and industrial strategies, Stansted can meet expected passenger growth over the next decade, double our economic contribution to £2 billion, boost inward investment and tourism and create thousands of new jobs in the East of England.”

An application to build 20 homes in Takeley, separated “just 20 metres” from Hatfield Forest has been granted, despite the National Trust saying the number of visitors is already “unsustainable” and that further development close to the forest could damage the ancient woodland.